Tuesday 8 September 2015 07:38, UK
Wales full-back Leigh Halfpenny has been ruled out of the World Cup with a cruciate ligament injury.
The Toulon star left the Millennium Stadium pitch on a stretcher during Saturday's warm-up game against Italy, and a short bulletin from the Welsh Rugby Union on Monday confirmed his absence.
It read: "Disappointing update: Leigh Halfpenny ruled out of Rugby World Cup with ACL injury. Further assessment required. Get well soon Leigh!"
Wales begin their World Cup campaign against Uruguay on September 20, and their focus now will switch to Rhys Webb, who suffered suspected ankle ligament damage in the same game.
If Webb is also ruled out, Warren Gatland will be deprived of two key men as they fight it out for one of two qualifying places in a tough Pool A featuring England and Australia.
The WRU have made no announcement on Webb or on a replacement for Halfpenny, Wales' main goal-kicker who reached 500 international points during the Italy game before he was injured.
Liam Williams is the most experienced of the other full-backs in the Wales squad but has not played since having surgery on a foot in June.
The decision to play Halfpenny against Italy has been criticised by Wales great Shane Williams, who said: "You kind of thought 'do we need this guy on the field? Let's wrap him up in cotton wool and roll him out when we really need him'. It is a massive blow and Wales is in mourning already."
